Alyia Gaskins

Alyia Gaskins joined the Trust as Senior Program Officer in November 2020. Alyia’s work primarily focuses on housing affordability and housing stability as key components of preventing and ending homelessness for Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC).

A public health strategist and urban planner, Alyia has over 10 years of experience developing and executing large-scale initiatives and partnerships. Previously, Alyia served as Assistant Director for Networks and Programs – Health at the Center for Community Investment (CCI). In that role she led Accelerating Investments for Healthy Communities, which helps hospitals and health systems invest in affordable housing.

Prior to CCI, Alyia was a Senior Associate at the National League of Cities where she helped hundreds of municipalities pass over 3,000 policies to promote health equity through First Lady Michelle Obama’s Let’s Move! Cities, Towns, and Counties initiative. As a Policy and Program Associate at D.C. Hunger Solutions, an initiative of the Food Research and Action Center, Alyia partnered with municipal leaders to implement the D.C. Healthy Schools Act and the D.C. Healthy Tots Act – comprehensive legislation to improve the health and wellness of children. She also founded CitiesRX, a consulting firm focused on advancing innovative models of cross-sector partnerships.

Alyia is a graduate of Vanderbilt University and has earned a master’s degree in public health from University of Pittsburgh and a master’s degree in urban planning from Georgetown University. She also holds a Professional Certificate in Municipal Finance from the University of Chicago. Recognized for her leadership, Alyia was honored as one of the Alexandria Chamber of Commerce’s 40 Under 40 honorees.

When not working, you’ll find her adventuring through Alexandria with her husband, Greg, son, Ezekiel, and beagle, Riley, or volunteering.